09-Dec-2005 2:47 PM
UK Law Lords dismiss deep vein thrombosis claim against airlines
Analysis
LONDON (XFNews) - The UK House of Lords has dismissed an appeal by victims of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and their families over whether they can claim compensation from airlines.
The claimants had wanted the Lords, Britain's highest court, to overturn an earlier Appeal Court ruling that developing the condition cannot be considered an accident.
The wanted to sue airlines, including British Airways PLC, as they felt the condition, which causes fatal blood clots, is caused by cramped seats on planes during long flights.
In their defence, airlines said they were not liable as DVT does not meet the legal definition of an accident under the 1929 Warsaw Convention, which governs all airline regulations.
The Lords ruled against eight DVT victims and their families who have been pursuing their case for four years. BA welcomed the ruling.